Key parties in the Queensland sittings have made formal submissions to the commission as they wait for recommendations from the evidence.

School principal Terence Hayes failed to report the offences of teacher Gerard Byrnes who raped and assaulted the children. In her submission, learning support teacher and student protection contact Catherine Long said she “genuinely believed” Mr Hayes would follow through on allegations.

Ms Long confirmed a student had reported that Byrnes “puts his hand up our skirts.”

“At no time did Mrs Long ‘water down’ this allegation (irrespective of “the demonstration”) and presented her a written note of the verbal disclosures to the Principal on her clear understanding that the Principal would take advice on the contents of that note from the Student Protection Officer,’’ the submission from her legal team said.

“Notwithstanding the obligations and responsibilities as a staff member, as well as her role as a Student Protection Contact, Mrs Long’s understanding was, in the circumstances of this case where the Principal was involved as the ‘first person’, that the mandatory reporting obligation remained with him and that she was not obliged to also complete the prescribed mandatory reporting form.’’

Last week it was revealed the Catholic Church accused Mr Hayes of lying to the Commission and should not be considered a credible witness.

He claimed it was not procedure to report the allegations to police, instead it should go to Catholic Education.

Submissions on behalf of the church parties apologised for what took place at the school.

It is not known when the commission’s recommendations will be released.